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Aaron Ardaiz - A Short History of Welding

Welding has always been an area of interest for Aaron Ardaiz, which may explain why he decided to make it his profession. Welding is an interesting trade with a long and rich history that spread to every corner of the globe.

Welding as a trade can be traced all the way back to ancient times. The earliest forms of welding come from the Bronze Age. Archeologists have found small, gold boxes that were made by pressure welding lap joints together. During the Iron Age, Egyptians and many other societies knew how to weld together iron. Improved blacksmithing of the Middle Ages also developed ways to weld by hammering. However, modern welding is something that did not develop until the 19th century.

Modern welding has been the result of many different contributors. An Englishman by the name of Edmund Davy is the man who discovered acetylene. Creating an arc between carbon electrodes using a battery was discovered by Humphry Davy. The two were put together in the late 1800s to develop gas welding and cutting.

Welding would continue to grow in popularity as new and improved methods and technologies emerged. The boom of the industrial revolution made welding a priority skill. It wasn’t long before welders were gathering to form organized unions and contributing much to the development of a civilized world.

Aaron Ardaiz and welders like him have helped to build many structures and vehicles. Welders often operate behind the scenes, but are an important part of the construction and industrial process.

Aaron Ardaiz - How to Become a Competitive Snowboarder

While Aaron Ardaiz may think of snowboarding as more of a hobby and fun family activity than a competitive sport, many others take snowboarding quite seriously. The competitive snowboarding scene has experienced some substantial growth over the years with the introduction of things like the X Games.

Most snowboarders, at one point in their life, have envied professional snowboarders, and wondered how they got to that point. Well it is not as hard as one might think. The first thing a snowboarder should do is get involved in some local events. Even the best snowboarders on the planet started this way. Go to your local resort and sign up for some competitions. Many resorts hold competitions for amateurs in the winter time.

Some even feature prize purses that are worth several thousands of dollars. Local events aren’t just a good way to earn some extra cash, they give you experience competing and building a name for yourself. If you start to win and get noticed, you may even pick up small sponsorships from local companies and shops.

Some resorts even offer season-long competition schedules. These programs can even offer coaching and intensive training. This is a great way to earn competitive experience and cultivate your snowboarding skills. There are even schools specifically focuses on the discipline of snowboarding, ones that can be found at most major resorts.

Amateur snowboarders like Aaron Ardaiz can become professionals if they put in the time and are determined enough. While making the transition from amateur to professional is never easy, it can be done by anyone with the passion for it.

Aaron Ardaiz Discusses Work Conditions of a Pipeline Welder

Aaron Ardaiz isn’t your average welder. He is a pipe welder, which requires a unique set of skills, and comes with its own hazards and obstacles.

Pipelines are a necessary part of many different industries, but is particularly vital to the petrochemical industry. That is because petroleum has a number of different societal applications, including being used in cleaners, solvents, make-ups, electronics, fuels, and more. Transporting this petroleum is often done by creating hundreds of miles’ worth of piping. Manufacturers obviously cannot create a metal pipe that is hundreds of miles long. That is why each pipe section has to be welded together to complete the whole line. That is where a pipe welder comes in.

Pipe welding is a unique subset of welding because it has a number of different environments that can be considered quite hazardous. Pipeline welding is an almost exclusively outdoor activity. Whether it is repairing pipes or welding together new ones, a pipeline welder will more often than not find himself outside. That means working in any weather conditions, whether it is freezing cold and snowing, or warm and sunny. A select few welders are even trained to weld underwater. Underwater welding is considered one of the most hazardous jobs that exist, but underwater welders are often paid much more as an incentive.

Many pipeline welders work on natural gas or oil rigs. They help to set up piping systems along the rig, and can also do in-field repairs in the event of a rupture. Most of these oil rigs are located in rural areas with small populations. That means that pipeline welders usually have to travel to reach each new job site. And that, in turn, means that a pipeline welder is often exposed to an unfamiliar environment, which can make it a more hazardous occupation.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welders are exposed to many risks, including electric shock and corrosive welding fumes. Some welding jobs even require working at great heights on a platform or equipped with a sling. That is why pipeline welding is often considered a hazardous occupation. There are some advantages to working such a dangerous job however, like hazard pay. While pipeline welders are exposed to dangerous conditions, they average a median salary of about $60,000, an excellent income for a job that requires no college coursework. While a pipeline welder is expected to work in many different conditions and settings, often the welds themselves are consistent and predictable.

Aaron Ardaiz is a pipe welder who holds three different certifications in the disciplines. Welders like him ensure that the economy’s petrochemical needs are met. Pipeline welders are a vital part of the global oil supply chain that keeps the economy running.

Aaron Ardaiz - Welding Basics

Aaron Ardaiz is a seasoned welder who has been working in the field for many years. He has many welding certifications and is familiar with a wide variety of techniques. Welding is not just a trade skill, but a science. While there is no fundamental chemical reaction that occurs during the welding itself, a strong knowledge of chemistry is needed.

The basics of welding are quite simple. Welding occurs when heat is applied to two metal pieces, creating a puddle that merges the two metals. When this liquid metal cools, it solidifies into one metal piece. Sometimes this metal can even be reinforced at the welding seam by adding bits of extra metal to fill the gaps. This is not always necessary, and varies based on what the metal is used for.

While the basics of welding seem straightforward, it can be much more complicated than it seems. For instance, oxygen is very reactive to molten metal. That means that a welder needs to shield the liquid metal from oxygen during the welding process to prevent it from weakening a welding seam. There are many different ways that a welder can accomplish this. A simple and straightforward method is the ‘stick’ weld. This weld uses a flux that boils off into a protective gas near the arc to keep impurities like oxygen, rust, and grime out of the welding puddle. Other techniques use a shielding gas like argon, which is non-combustible, and creates a protective blanket around the puddle.

Another aspect of welding that needs to be understood well is metallurgy. Metallurgy is defined as a branch of science and technology that is concerned with the properties of metal, their production, and purification. Any time that heat is applied to a metal, it undergoes changes to the molecular structure. How this takes place usually depends on the composite of molecules in the metal. For example, steel has many forms between solid and liquid because iron and carbon behave differently when put together at different temperatures. For that reason, carbon in steel is often dissolved within the iron by using various cooling and heating techniques.

So chemistry is an important part of welding. However, the majority of the chemistry involved is phase-changing, or the transition from a solid to a liquid, or vice versa. It is important to note that these changes inevitably weaken the structure of the metal, which is why welders want a quick and clean burn, as the strongest welds are the ones done properly the first time.

Aaron Ardaiz has made a career out of his welding skills. In fact, he is a 3G, 4G, and 6G certified pipe welder. He only hopes to keep expanding his knowledge and getting better at his trade.

Aaron Ardaiz - What Clients Look For In A Welder

Having worked as a welder for many years, Aaron Ardaiz has come to understand that clients are looking for specific qualities when they hire a company to complete a project for them. He notes that all of the following will play an important part in the client’s decision, so welders should look to offer everything below and more.

Technical ExpertiseIf you are unable to demonstrate your expertise in the profession, both through your qualifications and the work that you have done previously, you are going to find it much more difficult to attract clients. Place your talents front and center at all times and make sure that potential clients understand the breadth of knowledge and experience that you will bring to the project.

Strong Communication SkillsMany of the clients that you work with will have little idea about the technical complexities of the work that you do, which means you need to make a special effort to communicate effectively and explain concepts in a manner that they will understand. Clients will often grow to quickly distrust welders who only use technical lingo and don’t attempt to help them understand what is being done.An Eye For DetailAaron Ardaiz notes that a good welder must be able to spot issues with blueprints and designs long before practical application of them takes place. Your clients will be relying on you to ensure the project is completed as expected, so pay careful attention to any documentation or plans you are presented with and highlight issues as soon as they arise.

Aaron Ardaiz - How To Improve Your Communication Skills

As an experienced welder, Aaron Ardaiz is aware that professionals in the industry are often called upon to work as part of a team or interact with clients about the project that they are working on. This requires strong communication skills, which is an area where many people struggle when they first enter the profession. The following pointers should help you to improve.